There were 2,200 deaths associated with cold weather in England during winter 2025 to 2026, with early January accounting for 70% deaths, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The findings show that the deaths happened across five cold weather episodes, and the most server one - a 9-day period in early January, resulted in an estimated 1,563 deaths.
However, the overall tally was lower than the estimated 2,788 cold-associated deaths recorded across three cold weather episodes during winter 2024 to 2025.
While cold-associated deaths were recorded in all regions, the North East was free from it, despite experiencing colder temperatures than many other regions.
The North West experienced the highest mortality rate, followed by the East Midlands and Yorkshire and The Humber.
The UKHSA said these regional variations may be influenced by factors such as housing quality, home heating, population health, and how people adapt to cold weather.
However, further research is needed to better understand the reasons behind these differences, it added.
The circulatory diseases caused the highest number of cold-associated deaths, with an estimated 757 deaths linked to these conditions.
People with respiratory conditions, and those with dementia were also at high risk.
Cancer, accidents and injuries, and other causes became more likely as temperatures fell.
People aged 65 years and over were the most at risk from cold weather.
Those living in poorly insulated homes or experiencing fuel poverty were also highly vulnerable.
UKHSA methodology
To understand the health impacts of cold weather, UKHSA analysed daily death registrations alongside Met Office temperature data.
It used statistical modelling to estimate how mortality risk changes as temperatures fall and how these effects can accumulate over several days.
This allows UKHSA to estimate deaths associated with specific periods of cold weather, rather than relying on death certificates, which do not record ‘cold’ as a cause of death.
